REVIEW | Everybody's Talking About Jamie UK Tour.

Photo Credit: Matt Crockett

 

Everybody's Talking About Jamie

UK Tour

★★★★★

After seeing the show and recent Amazon prime film release, I now know for sure why Everybody's Talking About Jamie. The story of Jamie Campbell's ambition to become a drag queen and to attend his school prom in a dress back in 2011 has become a BBC Three documentary, a smash-hit musical winning numerous awards and has now taken to Amazon prime recently in a brand new movie release. Fortunately for this story, it is also now on a tour across the UK. There is no stopping this remarkable story from inspiring and moving audiences. It was time to see whether this show lived up to its reputation - and boy didn't it do just that!

The main character, Jamie New is a 16-year-old with a huge secret - but it doesn't say a secret for long. The news of his aspirations filter through the school, and soon he embarks on a poignant journey of self-discovery and empowerment. Although it isn't just Jamie New who is on a journey, everyone who surrounds him has some lessons of their own to learn. 

READ MORE: Q&A WITH LAYTON WILLIAMS, EVERYBODY'S TALKING ABOUT JAMIE UK TOUR.

Every element of this show is brought together so beautifully. Dan Gillespie Sells has devised catchy, polished foot-tappers combined with truthful, heart-wrenching numbers that will stick with you for long after the show. Everybody's Talking About Jamie definitely has the feel-good factor but underneath is this strong message of identity, expression, inclusivity with some teenage emotional angst that makes it so relatable and easy to follow. Some of the standout numbers in the show for me are 'Everybody's Talking About Jamie' which is aligned with zestful, eye-catching choreography to in contrast 'The Wall in My Head' where we see Jamie (Layton Williams) unearth hurtful experiences.

Photo Credit: Matt Crockett

Photo Credit: Matt Crockett

At the heart of this show is the unforgettable Layton Williams as Jamie. Williams captivates his character with flamboyance but is also able to dig deep into the vulnerability of Jamie. Not forgetting watching him nail Kate Prince's choreography is exhausting to watch! I loved watching him delve into his various relationships with other characters throughout the show, especially the one he has with his best friend Pritti (Sharan Phull) and his mum, Margaret (Amy Ellen Richardson). These were so powerful and emotional to watch. 

It goes without saying that this entire Jamie cast are impeccable, each and every one of them contributed to this unforgettable performance. Whether it was Shane Richie's raspy drag queen turning out to be a surprising mentor/father figure for Jamie. He looks fabulous in drag as Loco Chanelle and the audience definitely soaked up all of his natural ability to make people laugh. George Sampson takes on the role of school bully Dean, at times the audience gasped at his judgements of people but its a realistic take on homophobic and abusive behaviour that still manages to take place outside of the auditorium. Our audience adored Shobna Gulati's interjection of humour as his mum's best friend. She's a notably positive influence on Jamie and you can see how Jamie's mum, Margaret (Amy Ellen Richardson) receives that support and influence on her son's life. 

The energy and heart this cast has for this story oozes off the stage. The last number 'Out of the Darkness (A Place Where We Belong)' is a moment of celebration and acceptance that fills you with instant joy. I will not forget this show for a very long time and I'm already desperate to book myself some more tickets! 

The only downside to this production was that the performance time is quite lengthy. I felt some of the dialogue went on for much longer than I would have wanted it to, but it was clear that they had a definitive way of telling Jamie's story. It's a modern British story that will go to great lengths to remind people you do not need permission to be you.

Everybody's Talking About Jamie runs at Curve until Saturday 25th September with limited tickets available from www.curveonline.co.uk. To find further information about the tour visit here.